Yoga Practice and Pepper...

Pepper is teaching me things everyday...
she plays hard,
stays hydrated,
eats small meals
and sleeps often...

cat naps (which are amazingly restorative) can happen at anytime, anywhere
when she awakens she usually moves slowly and takes a few minutes to groom herself
before leaping into action

she loves to stretch...and rolls side to side

In my Yoga practice the cat pose loosens up tension from my neck and back
I imagine that I am a cat when arching and moving through these undulating feline inspired positions.

What seems natural to Pepper, I have had to learn...
I have come to Yoga as an answer to aches, pains and taut tense muscles...
the controlled breathing does wonders to rid unwanted stress and negativity.

I simply adore the last part of the class when we lie on our mats and feel all the energy that we have gained through these gentle movements...savasana.
I like to think of it as Nirvana.

Pepper seems to like it too!

It's O.P.I......when it comes to fingers and toes...

O.P.I. base and nail varnish

Colour...Peru-B-Ruby, 

I love the names of their products.

Lovely daughter thinks that it would be a fun job to come up with the names!

(I don't Boliva Peru-vit!)

This is a challenge for me...feet were up on the bench, head bent down, lights turned up, glasses on, ready steady go....these crazy toe things hurt!

I love having pedicures but I hate chipped nail varnish more and that's what happened...

  Hostess to the rescue.

While I was in the mood I did my fingers...

Fingers are easier as the varnish is clear and very forgiving...no "orange stick" required.

Maybe I should wear a toe ring and no one would notice if there was a smudge...at least the Yoga gals wouldn't notice unless they were peeking while posing, which our instructor reminds us... 

"to keep our eyes soft, averted and looking inward."

I'll put my best foot forward when I am doing the warrior pose!

Namaste

Wednesday is an indulgent ME DAY....Yoga 1st, Spa 2nd...and Flea Market Style is having a giveaway!

Tomorrow I will be attending my regular Yoga class and after many downward dogs, and several sun salutations I am heading off to the spa for a facial.
I go to a luxurious spa in a large hotel downtown and have been going there for several years. My family have kindly given me gift certificates for birthdays and Christmas. I haven't always been a spa client. It's a luxury that I have come to appreciate since my 40th birthday!
I received a gift certificate for a 90 minute facial from Mr. HB for Christmas which had a 30 minute mini manicure added on as a gift bonus.  Thank you Mr. HB, I am going to use the mineral pool and sauna, shower, put on a plush terry robe, sit in the lounge, read magazines, sip herbal tea and eat fresh fruit and yogurt before the 90 minute facial and then the 30 minute manicure...
After which I will retreat to the lounge to let my polish set, sip mineral water and take a few deep breaths before dressing in my street clothes and driving home.
I will be in the Zen Zone, not rushing about, not working hard, not thinking about world events or worrying about our elderly mothers. I will banish the thought that I am unworthy of such pampering and put my "Do list" aside for a few sacred hours and give myself up to momentary bliss.

I am excited about a new magazine coming out in February...
flea market style is having a giveaway to celebrate the launch of the magazine...pop over to their blog and check it out, and enter their giveaway.

Just breathe...the wisdom of Yoga.

I sit and breathe.

 I am sitting on a Yoga mat.

My clothes are loose and comfortable.

I breathe in and breathe out, it's that simple.

I do not try and control my breath or my thoughts, I simply sit and observe.

It is quiet, I can hear my heart beating.

I am visualizing the tension in my muscles relaxing.

My body responds and is calm.

My eyes are lightly closed, my mouth is soft.

My thoughts are floating, skimming, skipping, random.

Lying down, I stretch.

My breathing is deeper I feel sleepy, but aware.

I stay like this for many minutes.

When it feels complete I start to make small movements.

I roll onto my side and slowly sit up.

I open my eyes.

I am restored, I am calm, I am alive, I am in the moment.

I feel contentment and joy.

Pure Bliss.

I'm not sure how I feel after today...

I went to Yoga, a lovely hour of stretching and strengthening muscles and core. I have missed the regularity of going, no one's fault but my own. Feel so rejuvenated after the session. Note to self, go again, establish a pattern, commit to wellness!

Later, I delivered a sympathy card to a co-worker, a teacher whose brother passed away. I met her in front of her home as she was going out and we hugged, she clung to me and sobbed. "He was young, it was sudden, we were not expecting it." I was at a loss for words, I listened, then she was quiet...I said how sorry I was to hear and how we were all thinking of her at school...tears, awkward moment, then I took my leave.

Grief, we experience it personally and witness it when it strikes others. Gentle words, thoughtful gestures, flowers, a casserole, a cup of tea, a warm hug, or a shoulder to cry on...extend yourself and think of someone who might benefit from your kindness.